Category Archives: Aviation

Cebu Pacific has expanded its domestic footprint with the commencement of regular flights between Manila and Marinduque from April 1, 2019. With operations every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, the new route will be operated by subsidiary Cebgo using its fleet of brand-new ATR aircraft. “We are excited to begin operations in one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines–Marinduque. It takes only about an hour to fly between Manila and Marinduque—in contrast to the eight hour trip by ferry and land today. Regular flights will allow business to prosper and the island’s tourism sector to boom,” said Alexander Lao, President and CEO, Cebgo. “It was a long and tedious process to bring about this route. We are thankful for the collaboration and cooperation of various government agencies for the completion of the runway and terminal facilities at the Marinduque Airport. We are optimistic that with larger aircraft and regular flights, tourists will have greater access to Marinduque and harness its potential as a world-class ecotourism destination. We look forward to partnering with Cebu Pacific and other stakeholders as we strive for progress in Marinduque through sustainable tourism,” said Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Representative, Marinduque. Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific and often mentioned as an idyllic destination for a tropical getaway by travel writers.

Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed GoAir’s launch of four new flights between Kannur International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport, connecting the two cities with flights operating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. GoAir’s inaugural flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was received with much fanfare, as the Indian subcontinent remains one of the most popular destinations for travellers departing from Abu Dhabi. Bryan Thompson, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports commented, “India is a key travel market for Abu Dhabi International Airport, and we are always eager to strengthen our connectivity to the Indian subcontinent, enhancing further our services extended to our dear customers.” Maarten De Groof, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “India has always been one of our largest and most important areas of operations, and we look forward to ensuring GoAir’s guests enjoy a comfortable and efficient experience throughout Abu Dhabi International Airport where we continue to deploy world-class smart travel solutions, attractive retail offerings, and relaxing lounge spaces. This additional service to Abu Dhabi reflects the capital’s status as a key destination and transit hub, and forms a part of our strategy to attract new airlines to our network.” Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir, said, “This is a historic moment for GoAir as we enter the Middle East region with our maiden flight taking off from Kannur to Abu Dhabi, thereby strengthening the India-UAE relationship. GoAir is world’s fastest growing airline and Abu Dhabi is our 4th international destination after Phuket, Male and Muscat, and 28th destination sequentially speaking. GoAir is delighted to partner with Abu Dhabi Airports. I welcome aboard passengers from Kannur and Abu Dhabi on four direct flight services per week at an attractive …

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of new seasonal routes from Abu Dhabi to Alexandria in Egypt and Salalah in Oman, catering to strong demand during the summer peak. Both flights will operate four times per week throughout July and August 2019. Both destinations attract large numbers of visitors during the summer months. Robin Kamark, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation said, “We are delighted to offer our guests new choices of holiday destinations during the summer months. Alexandria and Salalah are popular destinations for residents in the UAE, and from further afield. Whether they’re looking to spend time with family or friends over the summer holidays, or planning to visit the stunning southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula during Khareef, we are sure that our guests will enjoy all that these new destinations have to offer.” With the addition of these seasonal destinations, the airline will operate a total of 32 flights per week to Egypt, 28 flights to Cairo and four to Alexandria. The airline will operate a total of 25 flights per week to Oman with 21 weekly flights to Muscat and four to Salalah.

Pakistan International Airlines commences its bi-weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays connecting Al Ain with Peshawar, Pakistan. Maarten De Groof, Chief Commercial Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Pakistan has always been one of our largest and most significant areas of operations, and we are pleased to welcome these new bi-weekly flights carrying passengers to and from Al Ain and Peshawar. This new addition further expands the network of Al Ain International Airport, providing our passengers with enhanced services and connectivity. We look forward to continuing to build new partnerships to meet the market’s growing demand.” Pakistan International Airlines will operate the route using its Airbus 320-200 aircraft, which includes 8 Premium Economy seats and 150 Economy Class seats in its current configuration. On Fridays and Sundays, flights are scheduled to depart from Peshawar International Airport at 08:10 LT, arriving at Al Ain International Airport at 10:10 LT. Returning flights to Peshawar are scheduled to depart from Al Ain International Airport at 11:10 LT and arrive at Peshawar International Airport at 15:10 LT. Speaking on the occasion, PIA’s President & Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik said: “PIA is in process of transformation and is striving to provide best in class services to its patron customers. The service elements also include providing convenient connectivity to its passengers and direct flights to cities in Gulf and KSA to all major destinations in Pakistan. Al-Ain is a strong market and there was a persistent demand by the local Pakistani diaspora to start direct flights between Al-Ain and Peshawar. PIA is expanding its network and very soon new exciting destinations and additional frequencies on existing routes would be introduced further consolidating our …

Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, from three to four daily services, to meet peak demand during the month of April. Starting from April 5, 2019, the flights will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. James Harrison, General Manager for Etihad Airways in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to announce more flights to London during April, in response to increased demand in the lead up to and post the Easter holidays. This is a busy travel time for families looking to enjoy the extended school holiday. This extra service will allow our guests more choice and flexibility with their travel plans.” These services will operate in addition to Etihad Airways’ regularly scheduled 3 daily Abu Dhabi to London services, which will continue to operate with Airbus A380 aircraft, offering Economy, Business, First and The Residence. The additional services will provide more flexibility for guests traveling between both capitals and those connecting onwards to key destinations on Etihad’s global network.

Emirates will launch a four times weekly service between Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, and Dubai, from 2 July 2019. Porto will become Emirates’ second destination in Portugal after its capital, Lisbon, which the airline currently serves with two flights a day. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three class cabin configuration, offering eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class. Emirates’ new service will provide travellers in northern Portugal, a major urban area, as well as those in the north-west of Spain in cities such as Vigo and Santiago de Compostela, due to its close proximity to Porto, with a direct option to travel to Dubai, and onward to destinations across the airline’s global network, particularly in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

The Emirates Official Store has launched a new limited edition collection of Expo 2020 themed aircraft models for aviation enthusiasts and passionate scale-modellers. The highly detailed models are part of a 15 aircraft model collection ranging from Airbus A380s to Boeing 777s featuring the signature Expo 2020 logo in three colours – blue, orange and green representing the three themes of mobility, opportunity and sustainability. The aircraft model replicas are available in both plastic hollow and solid injected finishes, as well as die-cast metal versions, all with meticulously detailed graphics in the three colours that are currently emblazoned on select Emirates A380 and Boeing 777 liveries. The scale models come in the following sizes: Emirates A380 Expo 2020 1/200 scale models in the three colours in a solid plastic finish, Emirates 777-300ER Expo 2020 1/200 scale models in a hollow plastic finish that can be easily assembled, Emirates A380 Expo 2020 1/250 scale models in a hollow plastic finish which easily clips together,Emirates A380 Expo 2020 1/400 scale model is the smallest aircraft collectable in the Expo 2020 collection and comes in a die-cast metal finish and Emirates 777-300ER Expo 2020 1/400 scale models which comes in a metal die-cast finish. The Expo 2020 themed Emirates aircraft models can be found at all Emirates Official retail stores in the UAE, Emirates Store online as well as Emirates Official Store shops at Dubai International Airport. Select aircraft models will also be sold onboard Emirates flights from March 2019. An official Expo 2020 partner, Emirates has installed three different Expo 2020 decal designs on 40 aircraft in its fleet, taking the event’s three key themes: opportunity (orange), mobility (blue), and sustainability (green), …

Dubai Airports has unveiled a new brand for Dubai International (DXB) that signifies Dubai Airports’ transition from airport operator to a consumer-led company to elevate the airport customer experience. The brand launch event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports; Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports, as well as VVIPs of Dubai’s aviation industry, senior management of DXB, key industry stakeholders and global media. The new brand embodies the unique values of Dubai, demonstrating unmatched hospitality, a culture of imagination, openness to new ideas and a mesmerising mosaic of exciting and inspiring experiences. It will transform DXB into a destination in itself by creating exciting, immersive virtual experiences that bring iconic Dubai landmarks into the airport as well as an array of music, art, dance and even fashion exhibitions that showcase local culture and celebrate diversity. DXB will also feature zones throughout the airport’s concourses that cluster together retail, F&B and themed attractions to cater to DXB’s diverse customer base. Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports, said, “We are proud to launch the new DXB brand to reflect the fresh direction and truly transform DXB into the airport of the future, one that is led by a more customer-centric approach, that incorporates the hospitality, excitement, warmth and true spirit of Dubai. The new brand represents the ways in which we connect the world, not only by physically facilitating access to over 220 destinations around the world but also by transporting our customers through their experience of different cultures, food, music …

Emirates will link Phnom Penh and Bangkok with its new daily service set to launch on June 1, 2019. The service from Dubai to Phnom Penh, via Bangkok, will provide passengers travelling between the capital cities of Cambodia and Thailand with more flight options. The new service will be operated with an Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft. Flights to Phnom Penh will depart daily from Dubai International Airport at 08:45 hrs local time and arrive in Bangkok at 18:15 hrs. The same flight will then depart Bangkok at 20:00 hrs and arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport at 21: 25 hrs. On the return segment, flight EK371 will depart Phnom Penh at 23:20 hrs and will arrive in Bangkok at 00:40 hrs on the following day. It will then set off to Dubai‎ at 02:25 hrs, arriving at 05:35 hrs. All times are local. Emirates has been serving Cambodia with its flights to Phnom Penh since July 2017, carrying over 100,000 passengers on the route to date. “We are pleased to enhance our services to these popular Southeast Asian destinations and offer more choices for travellers in Cambodia and Thailand. Passengers will not only be linked directly through our daily service but will also have access to a host of domestic and regional routes from the two countries via Emirates’ codeshare partners Bangkok Airways, Jetstar Pacific and Jetstar Asia,” said Adnan Kazim, Divisional Senior Vice President—Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimisation & Aeropolitical Affairs, Emirates. “Emirates has been proudly connecting the UAE to Cambodia since 2017, and we look forward to building on the success of this route with our new link through Bangkok. The service will provide travellers from Cambodia with easy access …

RwandAir has announced its expansion through partnership with Amadeus to adopt technology that will allow its customers to benefit from improved efficiency, better experience and increased convenience. This is in line with further boosting Rwanda as a travel destination. Last year Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali was ranked the third most popular destination in Africa to host international conferences. RwandAir was recently named the 10th most-improved airline in the world by Skytrax and has built a reputation for excellent on-time performance. Having previously provided RwandAir with distribution services, Amadeus will now roll out solutions across passenger systems, revenue management, loyalty management, payments, and data and analytics. The extended partnership intends to support RwandAir’s plans of expanding its network and fleet. Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO, RwandAir said, “RwandAir is committed to providing an impeccable customer experience that will fuel our continued expansion in the years to come. We look forward to an extended partnership with Amadeus that will provide us with the world-class passenger services solution with an upgrade of our reservations, ticketing, departure control, e-commerce, market intelligence and loyalty systems”. The benefits of using the Amadeus’s Passenger System (Altéa) also extend to Amadeus’ global travel seller network. Maher Koubaa, VP META, Amadeus, said, “Amadeus uses industry insights combined with smart technology to build the technology that empowers airlines, travel agents and their customers alike to streamline processes, boost convenience, build reputation and loyalty, and more. We’re proud that our partnership with RwandAir has grown so that we can continue to contribute to its growth story.”